DIEP 2013
Comments
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bluebird - how exciting that you are getting close to your first post-chemo haircut! That was such a happy day for me! I hope it is for you, too.
Jeannie, good luck on your appointment on the 7th. That's a shame about the fat necrosis.
Brows and lashes... I lost most of my lashes from chemo; I think I had 3 left on my left eye, and 5-8 on my right. I lost about 50-75% of my eyebrows. I used brow pencil (Revlon Brow Fantasy) on my brows. Wanted to use fake lashes but was afraid they would irritate my contact lenses. My brows are still thin; I always had very thick brows (annoying, really) and now I don't have to tweeze too much, which is nice. I'm a year and a half post-chemo and I still have to pencil them in a bit, but that's okay. My lashes are about 2/3 - 3/4 of what they used to be, and there were only average to begin with. I have tried a lot of mascaras... I'm using Loreal Volumous Million Lashes right now and that's pretty good, and I also have a tube of Rimmel something-or-other mascara that is supposed to help lashes grow; haven't tried that yet, want to use up the Loreal first. I would have loved to try Latisse but I read it can turn blue eyes brown and I don't want my eye color to change.
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I was told the broken capillary vessels were from heparin injected during surgery to keep blood flowing. Glad to hear the laser treatment was effective.
Ugh. I just realized I have a preop scheduled next week. I am so not ready for surgery. Getting expander put in.
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I agree with C.....growth is less in brows and lashes since chemo. I was worried about the eye color change, too, Christina, didn't want brown spots on my green eyes, but I haven't had that happen at all, thankfully....look you guys....I was spared a side effect for once in my life!!!! Amazing
Jeannie I forgot to say that my ps added an incision - about 2" - to the outside edge of the football flap that goes straight back (so football on a two inch string lol) and that was to get the fat necrosis and scar tissue out ....and where she found the fluid pocket.....and where she put the drain in. (Which is, happily, under 20 cc the last two days! So unless it starts up again it should come out on Tuesday yay!!!) So she did have to cut it out
The other thing she said, when I asked why the noob feels so hard in some places is that 1) that's normal two weeks out so give it time and 2) she can't guarantee my body didn't make MORE scar tissue or fat necrosis this time but I'd it does we'll try again next time.
I know surgery is a higher hurdle for you than most....is there any other filler they can try besides fat? Alloderm, cymetra, zyplast are some of the names I have heard. Or are you just plain done? That's a legitimate option if you're satisfied, honey. You've been through so much.
Thanks for the explanation of the broken blood vessels and hep shots...I had several of those after stage I, too, which only added to the "look" of the noob.....but much better now. I will see if she can laser the remainders when we do the nips. You guys are the bomb of information
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Nihahi, there are so many kinds of suture these days! My OR experience was many years ago, when we used kitchen string, bailing wire, and actual dental floss. (Kidding). But about the suture--after my two nasty run-ins with cellulitis, my PS does everything possible to prevent problems. He closes the incisions with some kind of antiseptic-coated suture, has me shower with Hibiclens, and put me on antibiotics for a considerable time after the surgery.
My eyebrows are back to stay, I think, but the lashes are a different story. They've come and gone several times. They don't fall out completely, just thin a lot and then grow back. And I've been finished with chemo since 2012! I'd love to try Latisse, but it's $100 a pop...ouch.
No bras yet for for me. I haven't worn on since December 6, the last surgery. They rub the incision on my back. The noobs are perky enough that I can get by with just a camisole, but nothing clingy--I only have one headlight, and right now, it's on permanent high-beam! My PS assures me it will soften and shrink.
Happy Saturday, everyone!
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I shower with Hibiclens the night before and the morning of surgery and then for a few days after. I am freaked out about an infection, too....after having one that put me in the hospital!
Sbel, somewhere along the way in catching up I saw a photo of Aubrey, who is beautiful, as always.....was she standing in the photo or is my memory wonky?
Hahaha....baling wire, indeed! You forgot the ol' Swingline stapler
The Latisse is spendy. I figure I very rarely drink, never smoke, don't drive a fancy car and don't require a lot of other high maintenance items (although I do have a Victoria's Secret panty addiction....no bras for me yet either.....havent worn a "real" bra since 11/10/11 ) so it's my vanity item. I also don't use as much as they say to use and stretch the one bottle out twice as long as they say it will last.
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Bailey, you deserve that little luxury item!
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Thanks, Bailey.
Here's some good news. My PS recommended ScarFade gel to help scars fade. I've been using it once a day on my ab incision and it has faded so much. You're supposed to use it twice a day but it's spendy. I ordered it though Amazon. I think it was $20 for a tiny tube but I make it last for a month or so. My scar isn't that important to me but to see it heal and fade lifts my spirits. I'll take that any day!
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jeannie....that is awesome news!!! That's a silicone gel isn't it??
debdylan.....good to hear you sounding so much more positive...Nothing wrong with "creating positivity"....just maybe hide that credit card if you get the "on-line" urge a little too often .
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my ps said to use silicone strips to help with the scars. I have already placed my order on amazon.
My last chemo was 4/2 & I have all of my eyebrows & eyelashes back. I'd say by 6 mos post chemo they were all back - same as before. I was also warned about the eyebrow/eyelash cycle & that I could lose them again about 4-5 mos post chemo, but thankfully that never happened. I am a big believer that good nutrition plays a big role in hair growth. I had my first haircut in oct - 6 mos post chemo - even though I only had about 1/8" cut, it felt so good! I am thinking about going for a slight trim soon, before diep. I figured that it may be awhile before I can get out of my house again.
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Someone said in the last few days that their hair looked like it might have been cut that way on purpose. My Thing 1 looked at me when I came home from 1st haircut and said, "Wow.....now it looks.like your hair has purpose.....that's a very purposeful haircut, Mom" (like I had some choice of style lol).
Wella Professionals makes a product under their Scuplt Force line called Flubber Gel that I loved when I was rocking the pixie. I used it after it was dry to give it some direction and staying power. It's a bit sticky and crunchy at first.....just wait til it's dry and then mess it up with your hands and it will lose the crunch....unless, of course, you like the crunch. -
My PS prefers the silicone gel....something about possible fungal infection with strips. I would need many strips to cover my humongous scar! I have learned he is extra cautious and conservative in his approach which suits me and my situation just fine.
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I just started using the silicone strips yesterday. I am using them on scars that are not going to go away with my diep. I picked them up at Walgreens. They are the reusable kind. I don't see how they are reusable, but we shall see. Heparin shots...hmmm. Great something to look forward to.
Bluebird, you also have broken blood vessels on your flap? Do they inject the heparin right into the flap? I know another appt with a surgeon doesn't sound like fun right now, and you can take more time if you want to. Nobody but you can put a time limit on when you are ready to proceed. If you need more time, take it. Or, you can go, find out what's involved, and if it's something you are really ready for.
For those who don't want to spend the money on Latisse, I sure didn't, I got Rapidlash at CVS on the recommendation of Katie Lee Gifford....lmaooooooo. She was talking about it on her show, and how it works just as well as Latisse and it costs less. This was a couple of years ago when I realized (from age I guess) that my eyebrows looked a wee bit sparse. I wasn't compliant for very long, but while I was, it did work. I did not use on my eyelashes, which is what it is made for. because it had the same warning as Latisse about brown spots in light colored eyes.
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Thanks Goldie....I'll look for it and try it out.
I was just looking for an old post and see that I wasn't so silent in my dislike of my flap with you guys....which is good. So happy for a place to safely complain. There are those in my work, social and family life who do not get it and feel that "everything I have put myself through just for a breast" is ridiculous and completely unnecessary when I could just get an implant (which was NEVER and could NEVER be an option for me but it doesn't matter how many times I say it.....and besides an implant isn't easy either, despite what they think) or wear a prosthesis. Those are the people I would never dare express any disappointment or doubt to....or they would just add it to their bag of venom. I suppose I don't help when I can't shut my mouth and say things back like, "Other people's opinion of me and what I choose is none of my business".
Oops.
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Bailey, yes, I have been so thankful to have a place of understanding and compassion. Your post reminds me of the young woman at church who, upon hearing of my vision loss in one eye said, "Stop it! You still have a good eye!" All holiday vacation we, the family, went around home or wherever saying, "You still have a good eye!" as an inside joke. I can remember reading that you thought your boob was way too big and had a side boobishness. I think some of us were unaware of the depth of your disappointment. All that to say, so happy you are happy!
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Jeannie, thanks for the tip for ScarFade. My abdomen scar has some bright areas - I will definitely check it out and probably buy some. How long did it take for you to see results?
Deb, I kind of gave up on my appearance for a while too. It's so hard to feel good about yourself during chemo. I didn't realize how bad I felt, until after recon surgery, when I started to feel better and care about my appearance again. Have fun online shopping!
Bailey, people who have not gone through what we have gone through, truly have no clue. Even other bc survivors, if they had an lx instead of an mx, really don't get it. They have no clue how lucky they are to be so ignorant. This experience has definitely taught me to be less judgmental.
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Christina, my PS said to try it for a month and see what I think. I think I saw results in a couple of weeks, especially on the left side where nothing was touched since DIEP in July. The whole incision became less purple rather quickly. It's now pink except for the left side which is whitish!
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Oh my goodness Jeannie. Oh my.
Smack her upside the head and tell her isnt she glad you didn't smack her up both sides of her head.
I am wired to be positive and logical and I knew, logically, that it could be fixed and if worst came to worst I would save my pennies for however long it took to go to Cleveland Clinic or NOLA or New York or wherever and get another opinion and likely get it "fixed". And most of the time I was able to remain positive and forward thinking...just had some dark days in there where I just wanted to be free of it. Hmmm....I spent a lot of days wanting my real breast off me too, during chemo. I had chemo first and then my mx so the "big bag of tumors" as I called it, was with me, worrying me, all through chemo.
What a ride, girls, what a ride. Sick of thinking about myself and my body so much. Wish I could ride my bike today....or ski.
Yes, Sbel, it snowed last night and for the last 20.days or so.....and today....and tomorrow....
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Bailey, I am thinking about keeping my hair short for a while, especially since it looks like my hair is starting to get wavy and I just don't want to deal with unruly waves or curls. I am definitely going to try Flubber Gel, only because it makes me laugh to say the name! I love that you are so positive!
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Whitish is AWESOME at this stage!!!!!
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Oh my, Bailey, is that wet snow or dry and fluffy! I want to play in it, but I know that privilege comes with shoveling and all the other rotten parts.
Deb - great to hear you investing in yourself. I know it is hard, but sometimes it is the little stuff that gets us motivated.
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Lol....it was dry for a bit this morning, Marty.....very Currier & Ives....but is wet now....with a thick layer of ice underneath from the preChristmas ice storm. It is fun to play in...I am just not ready for anything too jarring yet, which the snowsports I enjoy tend to be.
Haha....it is funny....sometimes chemo brain blocks the word flubber from me and I have to call it the green goo....not that I talk about hair products much...but I couldn't find it in Ulta one day and had to ask. Needless to say they had no clue when I wanted "green goo".
Any runners who have had stage II? When did you start running again?
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Deb, I lost hair everywhere but my head during chemo. I was down to about 15 eyelashes and sparse brows which I helped along with pencil. Brows are fully back, eyelashes were never full and aren't now. Chemo ended for me in Feb. but I realize it is a different chemo than most.
Bailey, my DD just arrived in Ann Arbor from Seattle and texted me: brrrr. That says it all. I just got in from gardening under sunny skies but with frost on the grass. I'm having my gardening group over in a month and don't want to embarrass myself. It doesn't have to look perfect just not neglected. As for the young woman from church, I think I stared at her open-mouthed. Now I have forgiven her but I won't be sharing anything with her in the future. If she ever asks about my eye, which she probably isn't thoughtful enough to do, I am working on a reply.....don't have one yet....let me see, look here...that's as far as I got!
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Oh I am slightly envious of a "light frost". It is 28 F right now, though. Better than yesterday morning...-14 F on DH's car thermometer.
Well, thank the Lord for those who do get it, or are kind and empathetic and realize it is more than meets the eye. (A pun for our resident punster)
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Goldie... I use silicone strips (Mepiderm I think) and they are reusable. I take it off to shower, but otherwise wear it for about a week... or whenever they get mushed or whatever. I do not use it in my abdomen or buttock scar because it would get dislodged when going to the bathroom. But I do use it on my breasts. For the other scars I use 3m brown tape or kelo-cote (silicone gel).
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Betsy, what do you mean by 3m brown tape? That brown paper tape used for packing comes to mind...
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Ha... no. The Center now just gives out the kelo-cote, but they used to give brown scar tape (I think its 3m). They also gave me the mepiderm silicone strips. So when you go for post op, ask about it.
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How long after surgery before you using the scar "stuff"?
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Bailey, my scars were three weeks old when I started to use the silicone strips.
I am going to google the brown tape. I have never heard of it. Zen is right. Sounds like packing tape...lol.
I have had several opinions from different docs. Your scars are going to be what they are, and then another who believed you can improve them with silicone tape, bio oil massage, etc. I know for sure that certain laser's can improve the look of scars considerably. Most PS's don't have them in their office, and you might have to go off on your own to have it done at a Dermatologist that specializes in lasers. If you are seeing a PS in a big hospital setting the various laser's might be available to them. Some of these lasers cost $200,000 or more. So most doc's can't afford to own them. But, the big hospital's have them all. The laser I just had for the broken blood vessels is at UTSW where I had my bmx.
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Hmmm, my PS said he would take care of my broken vessels in his procedure room. I didn't even ask any questions!
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Having had a slew of issues with my mx and rads scars and tissue I can say that for me daily massage had a definite and beneficial affect on the scarring and damaged tissue.
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